Stick it to the flu

Thursday

Oct 24, 2013 at 11:16 AM

Get a flu shot and other advice to stay healthy

By Phil FuhrerPhil.Fuhrer@StarNewsOnline.com

Flu season doesn't necessarily play favorites with folks in Southeastern North Carolina, but it does prey on seniors everywhere.“It has been recognized for many years,” says Jason McDonald, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, “that people 65 years and older are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu compared with young, healthy adults.”Joshua Swift, New Hanover County's deputy health director, reminds that last year's flu onslaught was particularly intensive, and recommends some easy, simple prevention methods to begin: Get vaccinated against flu, the best defense.Cover your cough, wash hands often.Stay home when sick.Take antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.Here are questions and answers from McDonald at CDC, plus Swift and other area officials on this flu season.What does the flu season look like this year?The flu is highly unpredictable. We won't know what the flu season looks like until it gets underway and we analyze the surveillance data.

Anything special about flu season in our geographic area of the country, Southeastern/coastal North Carolina?Reports Swift, from the New Hanover County health department: Each year the flu season can be unpredictable with flu activity peaking early or later in the typical flu season (usually November-April). “We don't foresee any flu activity that is out of the ordinary for Southeastern North Carolina. We usually have the same amount of flu activity as other parts of North Carolina and the southeastern U.S. (But) the 2012-2013 flu season was very intense across North Carolina, with a high number of flu cases across the state, and peaked in late November/early December and did not drop till January.”In Brunswick County, David Stanley, the health administrator, says: “Nothing special in our area about flu season, but we do have an aggressive outreach program at our health department and we offer several vaccination choices.”

How long does the flu season last?In the northern hemisphere, winter is the time for flu, but the exact timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time flu activity peaks in January or later.

When should I get a flu shot?Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September, or as soon as vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season which can last as late as May.

Why are seniors especially vulnerable to flu?It's estimated that 90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations in the United States each year occur in people 65 years and older. This is because human immune defenses become weaker with age. So influenza can be a very serious disease for people 65 and older.

How do I know if I have the flu? What are the symptoms?People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:Fever – although it's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever – or feeling feverish/chills; cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; muscle or body aches; headaches; fatigue (very tired).Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Who needs a flu shot? Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. This recommendation has been in place since Feb. 24, 2010, when CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it's especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.

How long does the shot last?Antibody to seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine does decline in the months following vaccination, but experts believe that the antibody is still high enough to provide protection to the end of the season.

Where can I get a flu shot?In New Hanover County: Swift says flu shots and flu nasal spray are available throughout the county. The health department will be offering a flu clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2029 S. 17th St. Injections and nasal spray will be provided for those who are eligible. The health department will bill health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid; it also accepts debit and credit cards. Call 798-6646 to schedule an appointment. In addition, the health department can provide flu clinics at local churches, businesses and civic organizations with 20 or more people. The public can call 798-6529 to inquire about hosting a flu clinic. For more information about clinics, events and health topics, people can follow the Health Department at www.Twitter.com/NHCHealth or www.Facebook.com/NHCHealth.

In Brunswick County: The health department offers flu shots 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment needed. Available: Regular flu shot, $38; flu mist, $47; high dose vaccine (for those ages 65 and older), $56. A pediatric vaccine, that is preservative-free, is also available. Your vaccination information is added to the North Carolina State Immunizations Registry. Vaccinations are given by public health nurses. Call 253-2344 or see Flu Information for more details at http://www.brunsco.net/Departments/HealthRelated/Health.aspxThe health department accepts most types of insurance. No appointment is necessary. For more information, call (888) 428-4429.

In Pender County: Carolyn Moser at the health department said the county began offering flu shots in Burgaw the last week of September. “Our charge is $30 and we bill insurance and Medicare,” says Moser. For more information, call 259-1207 or www.pendercountync.gov.

If I get the flu before I get the shot, can I still get a shot?Yes. There are a couple of reasons why you should be vaccinated even if you have already been sick with symptoms of flu this season. First, it's possible that your illness was not caused by a flu virus. There are other respiratory viruses circulating along with flu that can have similar flu symptoms. The only way to know for sure that a flu virus is making you sick is to have a sample taken and tested in a laboratory. Second, even if you were sick with one flu virus, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three or four flu viruses. This means the flu vaccine can offer protection against other flu viruses you haven't been exposed to yet.

Why do I need a flu shot?The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including:which flu viruses are spreading,how much flu vaccine is available,when vaccine is available,how many people get vaccinated, andhow well the vaccine is matched to viruses that are causing illness.Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and persons who live in facilities like nursing homes. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure or diabetes.